Downloadable certified letter
You can download this letter and keep to use as certified proof if required of this temporary shelf life extension.
The quality of our products and the service we provide for our customers and consumers is of the utmost importance to Britvic.
Given the current situation resulting from the Covid pandemic we have been reviewing the best before dates of our BIB range. We have conducted both sensory and scientific evaluation of the products over time and also in conjunction with our franchise partners to optimise current stockholdings in outlets and minimise food waste.
The result of this evaluation has been in these exceptional circumstances that we can now extend some of the Best Before End (BBE) of Britvic supplied BIB products in accordance with the table below. These extensions should be added to the existing date code.
These changes apply to unopened BIBs stored under normal conditions, not those that have remained on the dispensing machine prior to the lockdown or closure period. This also does not apply to damaged or leaking containers
We can confirm that this change has no signifcant effect on the taste or stability of the product and complies with all legal and applicable food safety requirements and has been done so in conjunction with UK Trading standards.
|
Product |
Original shelf life (BBE) |
Extension to existing BBE date |
|
Pepsi Regular |
9 Months |
+2 Weeks |
|
Tango Ice Blast range |
9 Months |
+3 Months |
|
Lipton Ice Tea Peach |
9 Months |
+1 Month |
|
R.Whites |
9 Months |
+3 Months |
|
Britvic Tonic Water |
9 Months |
+3 Months |
|
Tango Orange & Tango Apple |
6 Months |
+3 Months |
|
Robs A&B |
6 Months |
+3 Months |
FAQs regarding BIB Shelf Life Extension
This is based on sensory & analytical testing data for each product. The impact of different flavouring & sweetener systems is complex and varies by product type hence the lengths of extension are different by product.
We have comprehensive sensory testing by trained & experienced tasters in our QA & Sensory department - plus detailed laboratory analysis of flavour components and their profiles.
This is an extraordinary measure in these times. We are porviding an extension to Best Before End dates of specific products where it has been evaluated this is possible and from a food safety perspective safe to do so, however there will be in some cases a small drop off of flavour the flavour profile. It is a decision which also supports our customers and stockists with the specific challenges that COVID has created so we are introducing this for the next 90 days. We envisage that as the hospitality trade re-opens this exceptional measure will not be needed, and we can return to our standard BBE. Of course we will continue to monitor the shelflife of our products.
The product MUST be unopened. & kept in the normal storage conditions for the product(s) involved - e.g. ambient, clean and dry.
NO, unfortunately we ask that the box should be disposed of due to the possible impact of air ingress on flavour / quality of the product.
Unopened boxes will not have seen the impact of air ingress, therefore we are confident to guarantee security & product integrity (no tampering) for food safety reasons.
The Box should be clean, dry, and without physical damage, if there is it should not be used.
There should be no sign of it having been opened or contaminated externally in any way. There should be no off or unusual odour on the packaging. The box(es) should not knowingly have been stored above 30c or frozen or stored outside or in unhygienic conditions."
The date on the box(es) will not be changed but the shelf life extension will be validated via a written letter of authorisation. We confirm that this is legal. The date is BBE (best before end) to assure optimum taste not a "use by" date for food safety. We have engaged with Trading Standards to share and agree our proposed actions, and the data we have to support our decisions.